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Art Materials, Techniques, Ideas: A Research Book for Teachers
Art Materials Techniques Ideas A Research Book for Teachers Author:Virginia Gayheart Timmons From inside the book, from the author: — To the Reader: — The writing of this manuscript has grown out of my personal interest in the materials and techniques of art and in the myriad possibilities for their uses in the art classroom. Additionally, there was the ever-present professional responsibility for providing information and guidance in the... more » uses of materials for the teachers with whom I have worked. Their requests for assistance have been expressed various ways: "But I don't have any ........." "But what else can I do with it?" "Weaving? But we have no looms!" This book, then is my attempt to answer some of the questions, some of the needs, for the beginning teacher, the experienced teacher and the classroom teacher lacking extensive experience with art materials.
In choosing materials and techniques for discussion, some limits had to be defined; an exhaustive treatment of every material, every technique was obviously outside the scope of a single volume. The choices I have made are based on personal observations of teachers and students at work; they are the materials and techniques which have elicited the most enthusiastic responses in the classroom. Certain traditional materials and techniques were omitted to make room for "newer" materials, more experimental techniques.
The teacher seeking a "how-to-do-it" pattern book will not find it here: techniques are defined only to the point where they can provide points-of-departure and, hopefully, stimulate further experimentation. Activities are suggested as they encourage varied applications of materials or techniques. Finished products by both professional and student artists were chosen to illustrate a variety of design approaches and techniques in the uses of specific materials.
The materials in this book are not offered as a "program of study" -- the emphases are materials, techniques and ideas for their uses in the classroom. While realizing that materials and techniques are but the "means to an end" in at, it is my firm belief that a basic, working knowledge of them expands the artist's vocabulary for creative, personal expression.